As the Fusengbuwa Ruling House resumed the nomination process of a candidate to occupy the vacant stool of Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland on Monday, no fewer than 96 princes and princesses of the House obtained nomination forms to enable them participate in the process.
The Olori Ebi (Family Head) of Fusegbuwa Ruling House, who is also the Otunba Jadiara, Lateef Owoyemi, disclosed this on Monday at the commencement of the nomination meeting held at Bisi Rodipe Hall, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
In his welcome address, Otunba Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said that after the meeting, the names of those who scaled the first hurdle would be forwarded to the kingmakers.
"The Afobajes (Kingmakers) would pick one of the candidates as the next Awujale and forward his name to the Ogun State Government," he said.
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He also noted that after due process, anyone who has any displeasure should channel their grievances to the State government, assuring that the kingmakers would not make any mistakes in the selection process.
Owoyemi assured that within a month, Ijebuland would have a new king to sit on the stool of Awujale.
He further maintained that after the due process of nomination and submission of names, kingmakers would vet the list for the best candidates and forward their names to the government for approval of one of them.
"We have 19 days for anyone aggrieved to express their displeasure. We have 86 princes and princesses who expressed interest in the throne; we have successfully, peacefully, and harmoniously nominated ninety-five (95) candidates today. Now, it's in the hands of the kingmakers to do their work and select one of them for us.
"We in the Fusegbuwa Ruling House have done a lot of traditional research through the oracles to guide us on what's going to happen, and we have no doubt at all that the kingmakers are going to select the person that the Almighty God himself has appointed, and our ancestors have also blessed," he said.
Owoyemi emphasised that the nomination is a win-win for all the family, adding that those who may not be king would serve in the palace, assuring that there would be no litigation at all after the process.
"It's a win-win for everybody because even those who may not be appointed as the king will serve in the palace by the grace of God; there will be no litigation. So, we can be rest assured that by the grace of Almighty God, we are going to be very happy," he said.
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He also expressed confidence in the State government that they would follow due process, saying that they were going to do the right things and support what the family supports.
"For the government, well, we know the government is going to do the right thing and support what the family supports. And God will guide them right and select the best person for us. And we know they will not make any mistake," he added.
Among the candidates nominated were Fatai Arowolo, the CEO of Aroon Construction Company; Biodun Onanuga, husband of the immediate-past deputy governor of Ogun State; Dr Kunle Hassan, the founder of Eye Foundation, among many others.
The nomination process was witnessed by many observers, government representatives, security agents, journalists, and others for transparency and accountability.
Other leaders of the Ruling House at the meeting included Deputy Family Head, Otunba Ajidagba, and chairman, Chief Fassy Yusuf, among others.
